BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON, June 25, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
World No. 4 and defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada will return to compete in the 11th edition of the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open in Brussels, Belgium, this October.
The 25-year-old Canadian, who has won the tournament twice, will have the chance to become the first three-time champion of the ATP 250 indoor hard-court event, which will be held Oct. 17-25 at the Brussels Expo.
Auger-Aliassime joins previously confirmed World No. 12 Casper Ruud of Norway and Belgian fan favorites Raphael Collignon, ranked 43rd, and No. 48 Zizou Bergs as the entry list is beginning to take shape.
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“Felix has been among the world’s best for years and is currently ranked fourth on the ATP Tour,” Dick Norman, tournament director of the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open, said in a statement. “Having a player of his caliber choose Brussels again is fantastic news for Belgian tennis fans. He also holds a very special place in the history of our tournament.
“Our fans will surely remember the incredible matches he played here, last year as well as in 2022.”
Last year, Auger-Aliassime defeated World No. 14 Jiri Lehecka of Czechia in an exciting three-set final that included a pair of tie-breaks to win his second Brussels title. He previously won the 2022 crown by defeating Sebastian Korda of the United States when the European Open was held in Antwerp, Belgium.
“He’s the kind of player who electrifies a crowd with his aggressive game and fight spirit,” Norman added. “As a two-time champion, he’s already our record holder, and we can’t wait to see whether he can become the first player to win a third title.”
Starting 2026 the same way 2025 ended. 🏆
Congratulations, @felixtennis ! 🎉#BNPPFEuropeanOpen pic.twitter.com/6Or3mTY71p
— BNP Paribas Fortis European Open (@BNPPFEUOpen) February 9, 2026
Auger-Aliassime said he’s always enjoyed playing in Belgium. “I have wonderful memories of my two titles here, and especially of the incredible atmosphere the fans create every time,” he said in a statement. “That atmosphere, combined with the quality of the organization and the enthusiasm of the crowd, always makes me feel very welcome. I’m already looking forward to coming back to Brussels in October and hope to show my best tennis once again.
“My goal is obviously to go as far as possible and defend my title to the best of my ability.”
Recently, Auger-Aliassime was a quarterfinalist at Halle, ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Roland-Garros, and earlier this year he was a finalist at Rotterdam and won the title at Montpellier.
Ticket information for this year’s BNP Paribas Fortis European Open is available on the tournament’s website.
